Freedom To Say Something Nice!

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate our independence and the many freedoms our ancestors won for us through their courage and persistence in opposing the forces of tyranny. Today, we enjoy freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech. However, none of these freedoms is absolute. If the press writes something libelous, it can be sued. If a religious sect practiced human sacrifice, the members would be jailed. Freedom of assembly cannot be used to justify treason or mutiny, and freedom of speech cannot be used to maliciously slander a person.

As Catholics, we have several commandments that deal with speech. The second, which deals with the Lord’s name, makes lying under oath not just a crime against the state but a sin against God.
The eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor” has for its immediate focus a lie or falsehood that does injury to one’s neighbor. That’s called slander or calumny. However, the Church teaches that the commandment is broader in scope and lists detraction as a sin against the eighth commandment. Detraction is the unjust violation of the good reputation of another by revealing something true about him when there is no need to do so. It’s gossip, and Pope Francis has spoken out against it many times. In other words, if we cannot speak good of another person, we shouldn’t speak about him/her at all.

This summer, as we socialize with our family and friends, let us refrain from any negative gossip, and build up the reputations of the people we know, the schools our children attend, and the parishes to which we belong. Who knows? Maybe we will start a trend towards a more civil discourse in our society and help heal some of the divisions that threaten the tranquility of our United States

Fr. Carl

Together

Dear Parishioners,

One of the things that I have experienced lately is that of being alone. Even if I go out in public to the grocery store or for a pickup at Target, with a mask on, I feel alone and separate from others. The pandemic has also had an insidious effect on my thinking in that I don’t know if the person who is approaching down the aisle or bringing things to my car is infected or not. I like to trust others and expect good to come from our interaction, but the virus has injected a degree of distrust into things. So, my recent experience has included a little bit more alone time and separation for others. Now I make it up with Zoom family meetings where the 5-year-old hams it up for the camera and makes all the faces she can. Also, I have connected with friends from Indiana online, and this can be personal and up close.

I am reminded that we are a communitarian religion guided by a triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a God in relationship, expecting us as well to be in relationship. I do not simply relate to God in my own unique way, having a special exclusionary relationship. No, I am a child of God among many, speaking not as a me but as a we. For me, God is less exclusionary and more inclusive. It is not a special club with a secret handshake. I am a part of creation that God pronounced good in Genesis. In Jesus’ final discourse in John (17:22) he says, “And I have given them the glory you gave me so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one…” so we are to be one in Christ. He also makes the point that He is with us, and we are not alone in Matthew (28:20), “And behold I am with you always until the end of the age.” Let us find comfort in our being church together, having a Savior with whom we are one and Who is with us always. There is great solace in these words. May God help us to persevere through these tough times and remember our connectedness with Him and each other.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Mutual Sacrifice

Dear Parishioners,

Life here at St. Jane’s is starting to open up again. Our sinners are returning to confession Saturday afternoon in the Hall. The first weekend of Masses in the church saw an average attendance of 50 at our four Masses. And last weekend, the average was up to 75 per Mass. However, there is plenty of room; with social distancing, we can accommodate 126 individuals and even more if families sit together.

I am particularly pleased with everyone’s support. I have received a number of communications in support of our efforts to bring information and the Mass to you by electronic means. I also appreciate the continued financial support you have given either by online giving or mailing your envelopes to the rectory. Thank you so much.

The month of June is a month when many couples get married. In 1981, Pope St. John Paul II wrote about the connection between married love and the cross. “In the sacrifice which Jesus Christ makes
of himself on the cross for his bride (the church), there is completely revealed that plan which God has imprinted on the humanity of man and woman since creation; the marriage of baptized persons thus becomes a real symbol of the new and eternal covenant sanctioned by the blood of Christ.” In short, married couples are called upon to reflect on Christ’s sacrificial love and incorporate it into their marriage and rise above petty selfishness. As a reminder of their call to mutual sacrifice, it is essential to have a crucifix prominently located in the home, for whatever loving sacrifices a husband or wife may make pales in comparison to our Lord’s sacrifice on Mount Calvary.

Fr. Carl

Challenging Times

Dear Parishioners,

Isn’t it the case that life will always bring surprises.

Notable for me is the fact that astronauts from the US went up in a US rocket to the Space Station. It takes me back to the moon landing years ago when I was much younger. I can remember the grainy, black and white image of Neil Armstrong with his, “One small step for man, one leap for mankind” statement upon setting foot on the moon. The crisp images of the SpaceX launch and docking with the Space Station are a reminder of how far things have come. But also, we are in the midst of yet another death of an African American at the hands of a policeman caught on video. How much longer will racism show its ugly and vile face in our culture? And finally, it seems that the pandemic numbers are decreasing, slowly yet still with fatal consequences. The lower numbers coupled with the opening up of society, churches included, may slowly bring our world a little closer to normalcy. I don’t think however that things will be as they were, but we shall see!

We have been through a great deal of pain and suffering, and hopefully it will lessen. I reflect on these things because our Christianity, our Catholicism, must inform our reaction to the events in which we find ourselves. I believe that Christ came not only to reconcile us with God but to inform our way of life. We are to create with our lives, the city of God, the kingdom of God. I am reminded of the old adage, “may you live in interesting times,” very pertinent for the year 2020. It is also the case that God continues to be present to us and calls us to live out the wisdom of scripture, the virtues of faith, hope, and love, the community and holiness of church, the precept of service to others, and the embodiment of goodness and truth in the life and being of Jesus Christ.

Let us seek out the Holy Spirit as guide and companion as we live our lives in these interesting and challenging times. The mysteries of the universe are still before us, the challenge of treating all with dignity and respect still exists, and the need to care for each other in the light of sickness and death is still our call. God be with us, strengthen us, and lead us to right choices.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Welcoming Back Safely

Dear Parishioners,

We are preparing for your return back to St. Jane Frances. We have been busy ordering cleaning supplies, making sure that we are following the health and safety guidelines, and preparing for your arrival when we are able to gather as a large group. Just over two months ago, we had to close our doors to gatherings. We are very excited to welcome our Parish family back.

Even though we are in the planning phases of opening soon, please remember that the state is still under the “Safer at Home” order. If you are in the age range where you are at higher risk, have underlying health conditions, or are uncomfortable with attending public gatherings, Archbishop Lori extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass. We will still be live-streaming Mass at 5:00 pm on Saturday afternoon.

If you are attending Mass, please know that keeping our community safe is our Number 1 priority. When we fully open, we will be asking for your help. Enclosed in the bulletin are some new procedures that I would ask that you become familiar with before we open for Mass. Again, we look forward to welcoming everyone back safely.

Fr. Carl

Pray For God’s Strength

Dear Parishioners,

I saw an interesting article about how things may change as a result of the pandemic. It also spoke about how things have changed. If we imagine that we are slowly coming out of our houses, what world will we see, what culture will we experience and what reality awaits us? Of course, I hope for all the good things to remain. Although there is still strong divisions in our society, I have felt a sense of strong community as my wife and I walk around the neighborhood. I have had more conversations with people I didn’t know than ever before. There is a picture of a mountain range taken from a nearby city that has not been seen for decades from that location. I have spent more time with my grandchildren with whom I live than I really did prior to this. I have heard from friends and communicated with others much more than before. I feel a certain urgency and a need to connect with others which before would have been put off as, “I'll get to it later.” I have a group of friends from Indiana that I get together with weekly over Zoom. It has become an important part of the week.

Economically, it will be interesting to see what places survive and what places are gone after this. There is for sure great sorrow and tragedy in that loss for the people involved and for the community. We have lost a wonderful little coffee shop nearby for instance. I wonder as well what will be different about church? Certainly, we will have social distancing for a while and changes in how we do Mass. But will we look at church differently? Will we see it differently now that we have been kept away for a while? Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? But as well, has our relationship with God changed? Have we relied on Him to get us through? How is your prayer life? If it is the same as it was, then I wonder. My prayer life has taken on a bit more depth and seriousness. My brother had Covid but got through. My Mom in a nursing home had a roommate who tested positive, but she herself is negative for the virus. These are little skirmishes with death and doubt that call forth the need to pray and ask for God’s protection. They also call for thanksgiving at the little things that show us love and goodness. Of course, God will be the same. He is the same now and forever. He didn’t leave nor abandon us. Remember he doesn’t take away our crosses but helps us to carry them. So let us prepare to return to “normalcy.” I hope for the good and pray for God’s strength to carry us.

Blessings,

Deacon Steve

I Am With You Always

Dear Parishioners,

These last several months have been difficult and challenging to say the least. Closed restaurants, churches, and movie theaters; empty parks, sports arenas, and beaches; not to mention shut down businesses and the economy—this has been the new normal since the middle of March. The times have not been exactly uplifting. So it’s time for a change as life seems to be opening up bit by bit, and we are lifted up with the hope of recovery and better days ahead.

How appropriate it is that we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension when as we hear in the first reading that on a mountain in Galilee, among his disciples, Jesus was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took him from their sight (Acts 1:1–11). While His glorified body ascended into the heavens, so too must the spirits of the disciples be lifted up. And so too should ours be as well, for Jesus is showing us our destiny. But first we have work to do. In the gospel, Jesus gives the disciples and us our marching orders (Mt 28:16–20). He gives us the Great Commission to baptize and teach. In other words, we are to live and practice and share our faith boldly and without compromise. That’s a challenge, but we don’t have to do it alone. For his closing words are: “Know that I am with you always until the end of the world.”

Fr. Carl